Temporal and spatial variation of biochemical responses in resident fish after the Hebei Spirit Oil Spill

Abstract

After the Hebei Spirit oil spill incident (7th December, 2007), many marine species were found dead on rocky shores and beaches. More than 8,571 ha of land-based fish aquaculture facilities were affected by the crude oil. Hatching success rate in rockfish and flatfish declined to lower than 50% in local field for artificial seedling production immediately after the spill. There was continuing controversy about the impacts of residual oil (NFRDI, 2009). In the study, biliary PAH metabolite and hepatic biomarkers in pelagic and benthic fish was monitored in contaminated and reference site after oil spill. Concentrations of 16 PAHs and alkylated PAHs in fish muscle were highest (22.0 ng/g d.w. for 16 PAHs and 284 ng/g d.w. for alkylated PAHs) at 5 days after the spill and then decreased rapidly to background levels at 11 months after the spill. Fish from the oiled site had elevated biliary PAH metabolite concentrations and hepatic detoxification system immediately after the spill these declined steadily in both species. However, biological response (enzyme induction/inhibition) were fluctuated with PAHs levels, e.g. whenever a secondary release occurred. The high correlation rate between the CYP 1A hepatic detoxification system and PAHs degradation was shown by biliary PAH metabolites in both species. Regarding our results of detoxification response, markers of Phase I followed a similar tress rate in rockfish and flatfish declined to lower than 50% in local field for artificial seedling production immediately after the spill. There was continuing controversy about the impacts of residual oil (NFRDI, 2009). In the study, biliary PAH metabolite and hepatic biomarkers in pelagic and benthic fish was monitored in contaminated and reference site after oil spill. Concentrations of 16 PAHs and alkylated PAHs in fish muscle were highest (22.0 ng/g d.w. for 16 PAHs and 284 ng/g d.w. for alkylated PAHs) at 5 days after the spill and then decreased rapidly to background levels at 11 months after the spill. Fish from the oiled site had elevated biliary PAH metabolite concentrations and hepatic detoxification system immediately after the spill these declined steadily in both species. However, biological response (enzyme induction/inhibition) were fluctuated with PAHs levels, e.g. whenever a secondary release occurred. The high correlation rate between the CYP 1A hepatic detoxification system and PAHs degradation was shown by biliary PAH metabolites in both species. Regarding our results of detoxification response, markers of Phase I followed a similar tr